Dred Scott: Could slaves and their descendents ever have the rights of citizens in the United States? Academic Controversy

The Question If you were a Supreme Court Justice in 1857 based on the constitution, the laws of the time, and the culture, how would you have ruled in the Dred Scott case and why? If you were a Supreme Court Justice in 1857 based on the constitution, the laws of the time, and the culture, how would you have ruled in the Dred Scott case and why?

The Issue Can a negro, whose ancestors were imported into this country, and sold as slaves, become a member of the political community formed and brought into existence by the Constitution of the United States, and as such become entitled to all the rights, and privileges, and immunities, guaranteed by that instrument to the citizen? Can a negro, whose ancestors were imported into this country, and sold as slaves, become a member of the political community formed and brought into existence by the Constitution of the United States, and as such become entitled to all the rights, and privileges, and immunities, guaranteed by that instrument to the citizen?

What you will be able to do. Upon completion of this activity you will write a five paragraph essay in support of your position using specific facts, conclusions and details from the actual United States Supreme Court decision and relevant background information given and in your textbook. You may use any notes taken personally by you through the process in writing the essay in class. Upon completion of this activity you will write a five paragraph essay in support of your position using specific facts, conclusions and details from the actual United States Supreme Court decision and relevant background information given and in your textbook. You may use any notes taken personally by you through the process in writing the essay in class.

Controversy Groups Two person teams competing in groups of four. Two person teams competing in groups of four. One team will prepare the argument for the position, Dred Scott does not have a right to the benefits of citizenship. One team will prepare the argument for the position, Dred Scott does not have a right to the benefits of citizenship. The other team will prepare the argument for the position that Dred Scott does have a right to the benefits of citizenship. The other team will prepare the argument for the position that Dred Scott does have a right to the benefits of citizenship.

Individually Read 1 st read your handout on your own and highlight or underline ideas that you believe support your position. 1 st read your handout on your own and highlight or underline ideas that you believe support your position.

Partner Read Share with your partner what you highlighted. Share with your partner what you highlighted. Together decide what are the best arguments for your position. Together decide what are the best arguments for your position. Write notes for your what you will say in the debate. Write notes for your what you will say in the debate.

Prepare With your partner research your side of the argument. With your partner research your side of the argument. What are the issues? What are the issues? What are the facts? What are the facts? What supports your position? What supports your position? What will you each say? What will you each say?

Preparation Groups Form a group of four from your side and share your ideas. Form a group of four from your side and share your ideas. Revise your argument to make it more clear and convincing. Revise your argument to make it more clear and convincing.

Present Sit face to face with your partner to your side. Sit face to face with your partner to your side. Dred Scott is not a citizen presents first Dred Scott is not a citizen presents first For Dred Scott listens and takes notes For Dred Scott listens and takes notes Remember any notes taken can be used on the essay. Remember any notes taken can be used on the essay. You have two minutes to present. You have two minutes to present.

Paraphrase The Dred Scott side paraphrase what the anti-Dred Scott side said. The Dred Scott side paraphrase what the anti-Dred Scott side said. The anti-Dred Scott side verifies they were heard correctly. The anti-Dred Scott side verifies they were heard correctly. You have 30 seconds to paraphrase what you heard. You have 30 seconds to paraphrase what you heard.

Dred Scott side presents Anti-Dred Scott side listens and takes notes Anti-Dred Scott side listens and takes notes Remember any notes taken by you can be used for the essay you will write on the topic. Remember any notes taken by you can be used for the essay you will write on the topic.

Anti- Dred Scott side paraphrase Anti - Dred Scott side paraphrases what they heard. Anti - Dred Scott side paraphrases what they heard. Pro Dred Scott side verifies they were heard correctly. Pro Dred Scott side verifies they were heard correctly.

Argue - Discuss Explain why you are right and they are wrong. Explain why you are right and they are wrong. Break down their argument and build up your position. Break down their argument and build up your position. Win the fight of ideas. Win the fight of ideas.

Anti Dred Scott side We have been thinking and you were right and we were wrong because… We have been thinking and you were right and we were wrong because…

Pro Dred Scott Side No, we have been thinking and you were right and we were wrong because. No, we have been thinking and you were right and we were wrong because.

Come to consensus Drop your position Drop your position Decide as a group what the best ideas and supports are. Decide as a group what the best ideas and supports are. Write a thesis statement for your group’s position. Write a thesis statement for your group’s position. Write three points of support. Write three points of support. Write two points that support the other side. Write two points that support the other side.

One Paper Per Group Make sure you write the thesis statement and support examples on your notes. Make sure you write the thesis statement and support examples on your notes. Make sure everyone in your group understands the groups position and reason. Make sure everyone in your group understands the groups position and reason. One person from each group will be randomly picked to share the groups thesis and support examples. One person from each group will be randomly picked to share the groups thesis and support examples.

Write the essay. You may use any notes in your hand writing. You may use any notes in your hand writing. Write a five paragraph position paper taking one side. Write a five paragraph position paper taking one side.

The Prompt If you were a Supreme Court Justice in 1857 based on the constitution, the laws of the time, and the culture how would you have ruled in the Dred Scott case and why? If you were a Supreme Court Justice in 1857 based on the constitution, the laws of the time, and the culture how would you have ruled in the Dred Scott case and why?